My Possession Became a Ghost Story - Chapter 122

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Though her shoulders trembled with fear and shame, what came out of her mouth were words of gratitude for the mercy.

Despite Saraka’s hand falling from Count Regur’s shoulder, the Count continued to keep his head bowed. If Saraka didn’t give permission to raise his head, he would have to maintain this position.

Saraka was quite pleased with the form of submission Count Regur displayed. It had been worth planting a sorcerer to set the trap.

Since Saraka had also put a leash on Count Regur, she judged there was no reason to stay at the Viscount’s Manor any longer now that her main objective had been achieved.

“Bishop, the carriage is ready.”

Just then, a Holy Knight announced that preparations to escort Lohengrin were complete. When Saraka appeared ready to leave, Count Regur felt greatly relieved. It was as if a great storm had swept through.

Count Regur raised his head while enduring his shame. Saraka was still looking at Count Regur. Probably the face hidden beneath the veil was filled with contempt.

“You must never forget that the sun is always shining above your head.”

Saraka delivered a warning-laden farewell before leaving Count Regur’s manor. Despite the short path to the carriage, those escorting Saraka did not lower their guard.

Ever since a mad heretic had once rushed at Saraka, they were always vigilant of their surroundings. Even when reaching the Temple, they remained ready to draw their swords at any moment.

“There’s no one at the Temple who would harm me, so you don’t need to be on guard.”

When Saraka said there was no need to worry, one of the knights objected.

“…But Bishop. Aren’t those people here?”

“That’s right. What if those Plauros Knights bastards, bewitched by the witch, try to harm the Bishop?”

The knight who spoke sarcastically turned his head sharply to glare in one direction.

In that direction was a man with his head deeply bowed as if ashamed, someone who had been with the Plauros Knights until recently. Though he had left the Plauros Knights after loudly shouting at Gabriel, he wasn’t receiving good treatment.

“Filthy bastards who don’t know the Sun God’s grace.”

“It’s strange how they’re not considered heretics.”

They spat while saying Gabriel was playing around in the witch’s skirts.

Like a scale, the more Saraka shone, the more the Plauros Knights’ reputation declined. Even those who left the Plauros Knights to serve under Bishop Marik couldn’t shake off their labels.

“Stop it. What good does it do to curse fellow brothers? Above all, isn’t Captain Gabriel currently making every effort to punish heretics?”

Saraka deliberately defended Gabriel. She knew that the more a superior protects someone, the more others rebel against them.

“Hmph. They’re just afraid of their own crimes, so they follow the Bishop around pretending to condemn heretics.”

Unlike Saraka, Gabriel only captured main suspects of sorcery or cleaned up the aftermath of sorcerous disasters. Since this differed from Saraka’s work of burning and purifying all sources, Gabriel’s handling seemed somewhat inadequate to those following Saraka.

Saraka didn’t scold the knight who had the right perspective.

“Still, I believe the Divine has a purpose for Captain Gabriel too. And there would be no one in the Temple, watched over by the Sun God, who would harm me.”

Saying this, Saraka dismissed the knights who wanted to stand guard in front of her room.

“That’s right. Isn’t the Bishop the one who will spread Rahel’s will on earth? Unless they’re faithless, no one would dare try to harm the Bishop.”

The knight who responded still seemed worried about Saraka and couldn’t bring himself to leave.

“…If only Count Astaroth were here, we could rest easy.”

One knight who seemed reluctant to leave sighed. Azazel Astaroth, the knight Bishop Marik valued highly, was extremely skilled.

He was so trusted that Bishop Marik would take only him as an escort when traveling outside the Temple, but now he was out of contact for some reason.

Of course, Saraka had taken only Azazel because it was easier to move while avoiding others’ eyes, but these people had no way of knowing the reason.

“Nothing bad has happened to Count Astaroth, has it? He’s not someone who would disappear without a word…”

“The Divine always watches over us, so Count Astaroth will be safe.”

“Right…?”

Saraka hadn’t announced Azazel’s death. She had planned to announce Azazel’s death after Bishop Marik informed them that the demon had been judged, but she kept postponing the announcement, thinking there might be more useful ways to use its death.

Something evil from its very existence should exist only to be used by Saraka, and should be used that way even in death. And as if to prove it was arranged for Saraka’s benefit, a letter arrived from a spy planted near the Rohanson Estate.

‘Staying at the Rohanson Estate.’

It was news that the demon who should have died was crouching at the Rohanson Estate.

Hidden so well that no one at the estate could easily discover him, confined so he couldn’t take a single step outside Evangeline Rohanson’s room, so that only Evangeline’s intimate confidants would know Azazel was residing at the Rohanson Estate.

Saraka didn’t know why the demon Bishop Marik was certain had died was staying at the Rohanson Estate.

The Bishop might have lied to Saraka to end his life, or Evangeline might have captured Azazel.

Perhaps Azazel had been drawn to the cunning Evangeline and betrayed Saraka to submit to her.

Of course, whichever of the three was correct didn’t matter. What mattered more was how to use Azazel. Evangeline Rohanson probably thought of Azazel as a dagger to stab Saraka and was hiding him. Saraka decided to find meaning in learning this in advance.

The dagger Evangeline prepared would be useless. But what Saraka had prepared still lurked beneath Evangeline Rohanson’s chin. Rohanson’s Traitor, Hosaquin Duke, even Gabriel’s identity were all Saraka’s chess pieces.

No. From the beginning, Evangeline Rohanson’s very existence was also arranged for Saraka’s benefit. Evangeline appeared as material to solidify the Achievement Bishop Marik would accomplish.

Evangeline was like a splendid ornament to decorate the plan Saraka had established. Just like Azazel.

The final day was not far off. Since she was working for the Sun God, Bishop Marik would naturally be the victor.

***

I lost.

A little kid who could beat the world-renowned Evangeline Rohanson… Indeed, a six-year-old’s stubbornness was beyond what even a villainess’s reputation could overcome.

It was after hearing all of Mabuka’s story. Mabuka said her mother Rico would be waiting for her, so she should go back now.

It was late, and Mabuka seemed to have calmed down, so I tried to take the child back to Rico. My reputation at the Duke’s house was still rock bottom, so it would be troublesome to wander around the estate at night, but I couldn’t let the child go alone.

“I’ll take you back.”

“I’m six years old, so I can go by myself!”

But there was an unexpected obstacle. Six-year-old Mabuka insisted she was all grown up and could go back alone.

We’d been arguing for several minutes already. Mabuka showed no intention of backing down from her opinion. It seemed like this would go on forever, so I decided to give in.

“Can you really go by yourself?”

“Yes!”

Mabuka, with her nose tip red, looked at me with sparkling eyes. After crying her heart out, her still moist eyes reflected the chandelier light, making them sparkle brilliantly. Isn’t this visual attack too powerful?

Ugh, I want to grant all her requests… Isn’t this level of impact just cheating?

“Really? Won’t you be scared?”

“It’s okay! Because I have the cat!”

Mabuka proudly showed off Pudding in her arms. Pudding, held by Mabuka, was drooping as if uncomfortable and sending rescue signals with his eyes. It was incredibly cute how the little child was hugging a cat half her size with both arms.

If Pudding were a real cat instead of a beastman, I would have absolutely corrected her holding position, but since our Pudding is a beastman, he should be able to endure it.

I’d like to have Pudding teleport her there instantly, but I’m worried she might tell Rico.

Being able to talk to cats – this could be dismissed as a child’s imaginary friend. But teleportation? That’s undeniably magic.

If Rico found out, she’d report that I secretly brought a beastman mage to use tricks, and I’d be kicked out before I could even build favor with Hosaquin Duke.

Pudding had already used teleportation once when bringing Mabuka to me, but fortunately, Mabuka was too scared and crying at the time to notice the teleportation.

She mistakenly thought she had run away on her own, so I didn’t need to worry about that. That’s why I tried to take her back myself…

“…Fine. I understand.”

I reluctantly gave an affirmative answer. Mabuka, as if she had never cried, became lively and bowed her head.

“Then goodbye, Angel!”

I think I told her about 50 times that I’m not an angel, but she showed no signs of ever correcting the title. Actually, after always being treated as a villainess, being called an angel felt secretly nice.

Honestly, this is Misha’s fault. Living with Misha constantly saying things like “My lady is the crystallization of beauty descended to earth and blah blah…” gave me bad habits.

If Misha had seen Mabuka, wouldn’t she have taken her as her top disciple in flattery? While I was having idle thoughts, Mabuka opened the door.

“Be careful, Mabuka.”

I waved my hand gently at Mabuka leaving the room. Mabuka responded by grabbing Pudding’s front paw and waving it. Cuteness added to cuteness, but why is the effect squared…? It’s a collapse of arithmetic.

‘Did she leave?’

After Mabuka closed the door, I stayed still for a moment, then quietly opened the door myself. Fooling a six-year-old is easy! It was all a strategic retreat.

If she refuses to let me take her back, I’ll just quietly sneak out and follow her!

Sorry for deceiving you, Mabuka. But adults are naturally sneaky.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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